CJ Madraiwiwi formally closes legal year

His Honour Chief
Justice Joni Madraiwiwi formally closed the Supreme Court of Nauru
for the year and adjourned proceedings
accordingly.

Chief Justice
Madraiwiwi, Justice Jane Hamilton-White, Justice Mohammed
Shafiullah Khan and Resident Magistrate Emma Garo took their places
at the bench before the official ceremony commenced at the Nauru
Court house this morning (12
Dec).

Speaking on behalf of
the judges of the Supreme Court of Nauru, CJ Madraiwiwi expressed
their "gratitude to the Government of Nauru for its support and am
hopeful that it marks a new beginning between the Executive and
Judiciary."

The Chief Justice
thanked staff and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of
pleaders in upholding the rights of ordinary citizens before the
Courts.

His Honour also
offered salutations and good wishes to his predecessor Geoffrey
Eames as a recipient of the 2014 Law Council of Australia
President's Medal; an annual award that recognises an Australian
lawyer's outstanding contribution to the legal
profession.

In his response
Solicitor-General and acting Secretary for Justice Graham Leung
said the "end of a year is a good time to take stock, to look back
and reflect on how things might have been and to look forward to
how matters can be improved."

"Government is pleased
that both the Supreme Court and the District Court have commenced
work in earnest. A strengthened judiciary and justice system
will help grow the "rule of law" by ensuring that the law is
applied impartially and fairly. It will help foster trust between
those who are governed and those in whose trust they place their
government," Mr Leung said.

The president of the
Nauru Law Society Vinci Clodumar offered a response that also
highlighted matters on the rise before the
courts.

The Supreme Court of
Nauru will sit in January, June and December 2015. A schedule of
the full year will be issued in due course by the Office of the
Registrar.